1962–63 North Dakota Fighting Sioux men's ice hockey season

March 2026 August 2023 color:black; background:#009A44; a #000000 2px black black North Dakota Fighting Sioux black 1962–63 University of North Dakota logo - interlocking ND.svg North Dakota Fighting Sioux men WCHA T–1st 22–7–3 11–5–2 14–0–3 6–7–0 2–0–0 Barry Thorndycraft Bob Peters Maurice Roberge George GoodacreDan Storsteen Winter Sports Building National championWCHA, co-champion NCAA Tournament champion 1961–62 1963–64 North Dakota Fighting Sioux #000000 background:#eeeeee; The 1962–63 North Dakota Fighting Sioux men's ice hockey team represented the University of North Dakota in college ice hockey. In its 3rd year under head coach Barry Thorndycraft the team compiled a 22–7–3 record and reached the NCAA tournament for the third time.North Dakota Men's Hockey Team History https://www.uscho.com/stats/history/north-dakota/mens-hockey/ USCHO.com February 14, 2019 The Fighting Sioux defeated Denver 6–5 to win the championship game at the McHugh Forum in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. Season North Dakota entered the 1962–63 season after finishing 5th in the WCHA for the previous two seasons. Head coach Barry Thorndycraft was in his fourth season leading the program and could now see his first recruiting class lead the team as seniors. The Fighting Sioux got off to a good start with three home wins against non-conference opponents before opening up the WCHA schedule against Michigan State on the road. After solidly winning the first game 11–4 the Spartans repaid the favor by taking game two 5–6. North Dakota returned home for a series against a Canadian junior team where UND utterly dominated then hit the road again and traveled to Duluth to take on the comparatively weak Bulldogs. Despite the disparity in talent Minnesota–Duluth was able to win their first game of the season, holding the Fighting Sioux to a single goal.Minnesota–Duluth Hockey 2016-17 Media Guide https://issuu.com/umdbulldogs/docs/umdhockeymediaguide2017 Minnesota–Duluth Bulldogs February 14, 2019 North Dakota took the second game to prevent the weekend from becoming a disaster and went in with a decent record of 7–2 but only 1–1 in conference. Their first opponent after the new year was defending national champion Michigan Tech but with the games in Grand Forks UND had the advantage. The Sioux took the first game 4–2 but the Huskies fought back in the second match and battled North Dakota to a 3–3 tie. The three point weekend allowed UND to ahead of Michigan Tech in the standings despite having played two fewer conference gamesMichigan Tech Hockey 2009-10 Media Guide https://issuu.com/michigantech/docs/hockey-0910/70 Michigan Tech Huskies February 9, 2019 and after sweeping Minnesota in Minneapolis the following weekend North Dakota was within shouting distance of league-leading Denver. After trouncing another junior team in a single home game North Dakota played host to the Pioneers and the North Dakota faithful roared when the home team won both games to take over atop the WCHA standings, leading with a .813 winning percentage in conference. UND played one more home game against the Winnipeg Maroons before heading out on an arduous road trip. Their first stop was in Houghton the following weekend where Michigan Tech was waiting to exact revenge. The Huskies stifled UND in both games, holding the Fighting Sioux to a single goal over the weekend and comfortably took both matches. Three days later North Dakota found themselves at altitude in Colorado where they played four games in five days against Denver and Colorado College. Denver too was able to pay the Fighting Sioux back with two home wins but CC fell in both games to give UND a good chance at earning a home playoff berth in the WCHA tournament. With Denver and MTU playing each other the following week all North Dakota had to do was take care of business at home against Minnesota and Michigan and they would be able to lock up home ice in at least the first round. UND barely won the two contests against Minnesota but the two wins allowed them to leapfrog the Golden Gophers and with Denver splitting its series with the Huskies North Dakota could earn the #1 seed with its only series against the league-worst Wolverines. With nothing left to lose Michigan fought back against the Fighting Sioux and tied the first game 2–2 before barely losing the second match 6–5. The mostly good weekend allowed North Dakota to finish 11–5–2 in league play, giving UND a .667 winning percentage which left them in a tie for first with Denver. North Dakota's first title since forming the WCHA allowed them to earn home ice in their first-round series against Michigan Tech but because Denver had more wins (12) North Dakota was only the second seed. For the second consecutive year the WCHA had altered the playoff format, making the first round a two-game total-goal series instead of a single-elimination match. While goaltender Joe Lech earned the team's only shutout of the season in the first game against the Huskies, UND could only manage 2 goals themselves. The slim margin was built upon swiftly the next night and North Dakota took the series easily with a 6–1 win. Unfortunately, right after the game the team had to travel almost a thousand miles to play Denver the following day. Despite the journey, the Fighting Sioux put up a fight against the Pioneers and sent the game into overtime tied 4–4 but it was Denver who came out on top. Due to finishing as the WCHA runner-up North Dakota was offered the second western seed and accepted the entry into the 1963 NCAA Tournament, their first appearance since winning the title in 1959. Ordinarily, UND would have played the winner of the ECAC Tournament but because an ongoing disagreement between the NCAA and the Ivy League about post-season participationhttps://s3.amazonaws.com/cornellbigred.com/documents/2008/10/23/59-88.pdf Cornell Men's Hockey Media Guide Pages 59-88 (History and Records) Cornell Big Red October 16, 2018 Harvard declined their invitation. Instead, North Dakota was set to face ECAC runner-up Boston College at their home venue. While the partisan crowd hoped that the Eagles would be able to carry the day North Dakota swiftly dispatched BC, winning the game 8–2, and sending them to the championship against Denver. The home team had won all five games between the two schools that season but now a neutral venue would decide which team was ultimately the best. North Dakota came out swinging, scoring the first goal less than two minutes into the contest and added two more before eight minutes had elapsed. Denver would score two goals in quick succession to cut the lead to 1 but within the span of 54 seconds UND added two for to regain a 3-goal lead. UND had outshot Denver 15–7 in the first and they continued to keep the pressure on Rudy Unis into the second, firing another 15 shots at the DU netminder. Al McLean scored just after the 5-minute mark to put his team up 6–2 but Denver started to slowly claw back with two goals to cut the lead in half before the end of the period. In the third North Dakota's offense pulled back slightly but in closing their ranks they were able to limit Denver to only 2 shots on goal. Even so, Denver's Bob Hamill was able to get his third goal of the night with more than six minutes remaining but that was all Denver could muster in the final frame and UND skated away with their second national title, ending Denver's NCAA tournament winning streak at 7 games. The five goals scored by UND in the first tied the record held by the 1961 Denver team for the most in the opening period while the seven total goals also tied for the most. While he did win the game, with Joe Lech's less-than-stellar championship game (5 goals allowed on 17 shots) it wasn't much of a surprise that he didn't make either All-Tournament team but five of his teammates were named to the first team: George Goodacre, Don Ross, Al McLean, Dave Merrifield and Don Stokaluk. Team captain Maurice Roberge was also named to the second team. McLean, having scored twice including the game-winner, was named as tournament MOP. After the season McLean, Merrifield and Ross were named as AHCA All-Americans while Merrifeld and Ross made the All-WCHA First Team. Lech and McLean were named to the WCHA Second Team while Barry Thordycraft won the WCHA Coach of the Year Standings UND Schedule |- !colspan=12 style="North Dakota Fighting Sioux #000000;" | Regular Season November 24 w yes no Winnipeg Monarchs Winter Sports Building Grand Forks, North Dakota 7–2 1–0 November 30 w yes no 1962–63 men Minnesota–Duluth Bulldogs Minnesota–Duluth Winter Sports Building Grand Forks, North Dakota 4–1 2–0 December 1 w yes no 1962–63 men Minnesota–Duluth Bulldogs Minnesota–Duluth Winter Sports Building Grand Forks, North Dakota 7–1 3–0 December 7 w yes 1962–63 men Michigan State Spartans Michigan State Demonstration Hall East Lansing, Michigan 11–4 4–0 1–0 December 8 l yes 1962–63 men Michigan State Spartans Michigan State Demonstration Hall East Lansing, Michigan 5–6 4–1 1–1 December 14 w yes no Winnipeg Rangers Winter Sports Building Grand Forks, North Dakota 12–1 5–1 1–1 December 15 w yes no Winnipeg Rangers Winter Sports Building Grand Forks, North Dakota 10–1 6–1 1–1 December 18 l yes yes 1962–63 men Minnesota–Duluth Bulldogs Minnesota–Duluth Duluth Curling and Skating Club Duluth, Minnesota 1–4 6–2 1–1 December 19 w yes yes 1962–63 men Minnesota–Duluth Bulldogs Minnesota–Duluth Duluth Curling and Skating Club Duluth, Minnesota 7–3 7–2 1–1 January 4 w no 1962–63 men Michigan Tech Huskies Michigan Tech Winter Sports Building Grand Forks, North Dakota 4–2 8–2 2–1 January 5 t no 1962–63 men Michigan Tech Huskies Michigan Tech Winter Sports Building Grand Forks, North Dakota 3–3 OT 8–2–1 2–1–1 January 11 w yes 1962–63 men Minnesota Golden Gophers Minnesota Williams Arena Minneapolis, Minnesota 6–4 9–2–1 3–1–1 January 12 w yes 1962–63 men Minnesota Golden Gophers Minnesota Williams Arena Minneapolis, Minnesota 3–2 10–2–1 4–1–1 January 17 w yes no St. Boniface Canadiens Winter Sports Building Grand Forks, North Dakota 10–2 11–2–1 4–1–1 January 25 w no 1962–63 men Denver Pioneers Denver Winter Sports Building Grand Forks, North Dakota 7–4 12–2–1 5–1–1 January 26 w no 1962–63 men Denver Pioneers Denver Winter Sports Building Grand Forks, North Dakota 3–1 13–2–1 6–1–1 February 2 t yes no Winnipeg Maroons Winter Sports Building Grand Forks, North Dakota 2–2 OT 13–2–2 6–1–1 February 8 l yes 1962–63 men Michigan Tech Huskies Michigan Tech Dee Stadium Houghton, Michigan 0–3 13–3–2 6–2–1 February 9 l yes 1962–63 men Michigan Tech Huskies Michigan Tech Dee Stadium Houghton, Michigan 1–5 13–4–2 6–3–1 February 12 l yes 1962–63 men Denver Pioneers Denver DU Arena Denver, Colorado 1–3 13–5–2 6–4–1 February 13 w yes 1962–63 men Colorado College Tigers Colorado College Broadmoor World Arena Colorado Springs, Colorado 7–1 14–5–2 7–4–1 February 15 l yes 1962–63 men Denver Pioneers Denver DU Arena Denver, Colorado 2–3 14–6–2 7–5–1 February 16 w yes 1962–63 men Colorado College Tigers Colorado College Broadmoor World Arena Colorado Springs, Colorado 7–6 15–6–2 8–5–1 February 22 w no 1962–63 men Minnesota Golden Gophers Minnesota Winter Sports Building Grand Forks, North Dakota 4–3 16–6–2 9–5–1 February 23 w no 1962–63 men Minnesota Golden Gophers Minnesota Winter Sports Building Grand Forks, North Dakota 4–3 17–6–2 10–5–1 March 1 t no 1962–63 men Michigan Wolverines Michigan Winter Sports Building Grand Forks, North Dakota 2–2 17–6–3 10–5–2 March 2 w no 1962–63 men Michigan Wolverines Michigan Winter Sports Building Grand Forks, North Dakota 6–5 18–6–3 11–5–2 |- !colspan=12 style="North Dakota Fighting Sioux #000000;" | #000000 WCHA Tournament March 7 w yes yes 1962–63 men Michigan Tech Huskies Michigan Tech Winter Sports Building Grand Forks, North Dakota WCHA Semifinal game 1 2–0 19–6–3 11–5–2 March 8 w yes yes 1962–63 men Michigan Tech Huskies Michigan Tech Winter Sports Building Grand Forks, North Dakota WCHA Semifinal game 2 6–1 20–6–3 11–5–2 March 9 l yes yes 1962–63 men Denver Pioneers Denver DU Arena Denver, Colorado WCHA championship 4–5 OT 20–7–3 11–5–2 |- !colspan=12 style="North Dakota Fighting Sioux #000000;" | #000000 NCAA Tournament March 14 w yes yes 1962–63 men Boston College Eagles Boston College McHugh Forum Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts National Semifinal 8–2 21–7–3 11–5–2 March 16 w yes yes 1962–63 men Denver Pioneers Denver McHugh Forum Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts National championship 6–5 22–7–3 11–5–2 Source: North Dakota Hockey 2018-19 Hockey Media Guide https://s3.amazonaws.com/undsports.com/documents/2018/11/15/2018_19_HKY_Media_Guide_for_web.pdf North Dakota Fighting Hawks January 14, 2019 Roster and scoring statistics No.Name Year Position Hometown S/P/C Games Goals Assists Pts #000000 PIM 7 Al McLean Al McLean (ice hockey) Junior F New Westminster, BC British Columbia 32 19 34 53 53 8 Dave Merrifield Senior C Thunder Bay, ON Ontario 32 21 30 51 28 21 George Chigol Junior W Flin Flon, MB Manitoba 32 16 19 35 21 17 Wayne Gurba Sophomore F Flin Flon, MB Manitoba 32 20 14 34 4 14 Ernie Dyda Senior C Norquay, SK Saskatchewan 32 14 20 34 4 6 Don Ross Don Ross (ice hockey) Senior D/C Roseau, MN Minnesota 32 15 15 30 16 2 George Goodacre Senior D Red Deer, AB Alberta 32 3 14 17 48 18 Don Stokaluk Junior W Thunder Bay, ON Ontario 32 11 5 16 13 10 Jack Matheson Jack Matheson (ice hockey) Junior RW Brandon, MB Manitoba 29 8 8 16 34 12 Will Stirrett Sophomore W Thunder Bay, ON Ontario 27 8 4 12 12 5 John Sutherland John Sutherland (ice hockey) Junior D Winnipeg, MB Manitoba 32 3 8 11 36 3 Bill Selman Senior D Fort Frances, ON Ontario 26 0 9 9 6 4 Maurice Roberge Junior D Edmonton, AB Alberta 30 1 6 7 26 9 Pete Stasiuk Senior W Lethbridge, AB Alberta 32 4 2 6 8 20 Bill Borlase Junior D Fort Frances, ON Ontario 9 1 0 1 2 13 Arnold Steeves Sophomore W Marathon, ON Ontario 5 0 1 1 2 11 Dan Storsteen Senior W Devils Lake, ND North Dakota 0 0 0 0 0 1 Joe Lech Sophomore G Glenbain, SK Saskatchewan – – – – – 1 Dudley Otto Senior G South St. Paul, MN Minnesota – – – – – 1 George Baland Junior G Virginia, MN Minnesota – – – – – Total North Dakota Fighting Sioux 1962-63 roster and statistics https://www.eliteprospects.com/team/1137/univ.-of-north-dakota/1962-1963 EliteProspects January 14, 2019 Goaltending statistics No.Name GamesMinutesWinsLosses Ties Goals Against Saves Shut Outs #000000 SV % #000000 GAA 1 George Baland – – – – – – – 0 .910 1.00 1 Joe Lech – – – – – – – 1 .887 2.60 1 Dudley Otto – – – – – – – 0 .870 2.75 Total 32 – – – – – – – – – 1963 championship game W1 Denver vs. W2 North Dakota Denver North Dakota McHugh Forum yes March 16North Dakota 2015-16 Hockey Yearbook http://www.undsports.com/pdf9/4138306.pdf North Dakota 2017-01-01 https://web.archive.org/web/20160918142052/http://www.undsports.com/pdf9/4138306.pdf 2016-09-18 dead 6 – 5 2 Scoring summary Period Team Goal Assist(s) Time Score 1st UNDDon StokalukMerrifield and Bartlett 1:57 1–0 UND UNDAl McLeanSutherland and Bartlett 3:11 2–0 UND UNDErnie DydaMatheson and Merrifield 7:25 3–0 UND DENGreg LacomyKenning and Fragomeni 12:55 3–1 UND DENBob HamillWilson and Art 13:13 3–2 UND UNDDon StokalukRoberge 14:20 4–2 UND UNDJack MathesonRoss 15:14 5–2 UND 2nd UNDAl McLean – GWunassisted 25:01 6–2 UND DENGreg LacomyWilson and Johnston 27:05 6–3 UND DENBob HamillStaub 33:09 6–4 UND 3rd DENBob HamillKowel 53:19 6–5 UND Shots by period Team 1 2 3 T North Dakota 15 15 9 39 Denver 7 8 2 17 Goaltenders Team Name Saves Goals against Time on ice UND Joe Lech 12 5 DEN Rudy Unis 33 6 See also 1963 NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Tournament List of NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Tournament champions References 50em Category:North Dakota Fighting Hawks men's ice hockey seasons North Dakota North Dakota North Dakota North Dakota North Dakota North Dakota